Dress-supporter.



No. 70u47.

Patented May 27, |902. M. J. CARUTHERS.

DRESS SUPPDRTEH.-

- (Application tiled Feb. 4, 1902.)

witnesses UNTTEE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARTHA J. CARUTHERS, OF SHERMAN, TEXAS.

DRESS-SUPPORTER.

SPECIFXCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,147, dated May 27, 1902.`

Application led February 4, 1902. Serial No. 92,585. (No model.)

T0 a/ZZ whom it may connerie:

Beitknown that I, MARTHA J. CARUTHERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Dress-Supporters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a dress-supporter; and the purpose of the same is to provide simple and effective means for removing the weight of a dress-skirt from the hips and imposing it upon the shoulders of the wearer.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of the improved supporter shown applied to a figure in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section through a portion of the supporter. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the supporter, showing a portion of the supporting-straps and the mode of connecting the same.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral l designates a longitudinallycurved plate of suitable metal conforming to a body shape approximately at the base of the spine or just above the lumbar regions. Applied to the rear convex side of the said plate isa coiled or helical spring 2, which converges toward its opposite ends 3 and has its terminals projected through the opposite end portions of the plate l and bent inwardly, as clearly shown by Fig. 2.

posite ends in some instances to a greater extent than that shown, so as to avoid a bulky projection at the rear near the ends of the device, and yet preserve sufficient rearwardlyprojecting suspending support at the center for the skirt. Y

To the front concave side of the plate 1, adjacent to the ends thereof,the lower terminals of supporting or suspending straps 4 are secured and extend upwardly a suitable distance above the plane of the plate, where The spring 2. will be reduced or converged toward its op-l they are crossed and secured to each other after the manner of ordinary Suspenders, and

from the point of crossing and securement of the said straps 4 a reinforce-hanger 5 depends and is attached to the central portion of the plate. The straps 4 are made long enough to pass over the shoulders of the wearer and have fastening devices or clasps G. The clasps 6 are attached at the front of the body'to an inner garment, and by this means the major portion of the support is suspended from the shoulders and loosely bears against the base of the spine or at a point above the lumbarregions, as before set forth. The straps 4. will be provided with any of the well-known adjusting devices usually employed in suspender-straps and the like to lengthen or shorten the same to correspond to different bodily lengths or proportions.

In the use of the device it is applied as shown, and the rear or heaviest portion of the skirt is drawn upwardly over the spring 2 and secured bythe ordinary fastening means usually found in a skirtfor closing a placket. The projection of the spring in a rearward direction relieves the waist of the wearer from the weight or drag of the skirt and disposes such weight on the shoulders. The spring 2 is used for this purpose in View of its resiliency and cushioning effect, and for this reason it is less liable to wear on the skirt and also allows it to yield during bodily movements in walking or otherwise.

The improved device will be found exceptionally useful and advantageous for the purpose for which it has been devised, and it is `obviously apparent that changes'in the form, proportions, and `minor details may be resortedto without departing from the spirit of the invention.'

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new isv A dress-supporter comprising a longitudinally-bowed plate to fit the body at a point adjacent the base of the spineLa spring applied completely against the rear convex side of the plate and converged toward its opposite terminals, suspending devices having their lower terminals attached to the plate whereby the latter may be looseiyhung In testimony whereof I affix my signature from the shoulders of the wearer, anda reinin presence of two Witnesses.

force-hanger having its lower end attached i tothe plaise' at a. poilt intermediate of the at- MARTHA J CARU PHERS' techment thereto of the suspending devices, Vitnesses: said hanger being also secured to the said M. E. C. VOWELL, suspending devices. T. L. BRAME. 

